DRUGS dog Jake has celebrated his first anniversary with the police with seven arrests under his collar.

In May last year, the Durham and Chester-le-Street police division deployed its first passive drugs dog, Jake.

The 21-month-old yellow Labrador is trained to scan the air around people and to indicate to his handler, PC Alison Smith, when he can smell controlled drugs. On 160 occasions he has indicated that he can smell drugs, which has resulted in seven arrests.

PC Smith said: "Once Jake detects the scent of a drug on a person and a subsequent search is made, more than 70 per cent of those searched admit either drug use or association with other users."

PC Smith and Jake, based at the community safety department at Durham City police office, also deliver drugs education to schools, businesses and parent groups in association with the Durham Agency Against Crime and drug action teams.

Their work in conjunction with the Durham and Chester-le-Street Pubwatch has also led to a drugs policy in pubs and clubs.